PLDR vs SPYT
Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF vs Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF
Which is better, PLDR or SPYT?
Nearly the same fund. PLDR costs less.
PLDR has a lower expense ratio. PLDR led over 1Y, SPYT over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | PLDR | SPYT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59%Best | 0.92% |
| AUM | $3M | $170M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.35% | 20.83% |
| Holdings | 56 | 10 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6% | 11.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.0% | -18.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.3 years | $12,529 | $13,700Best |
| Fund Family | Putnam Investments | Defiance ETFs, LLC |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 25, 2021 | Mar 7, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 127 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PLDR has data through Jun 9, 2026 and SPYT through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 7, 2024 to Jun 9, 2026 (2.3 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PLDR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 11.6% for SPYT. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -23.0% for PLDR and -18.3% for SPYT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PLDR charges 0.59% per year while SPYT charges 0.92%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $92 annually, a gap of $33 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PLDR currently yields 0.35% against 20.83% for SPYT.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 52 holdings in PLDR and 1 in SPYT, totalling 92.9% and 99.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 216 days apart, PLDR as of Feb 27, 2026 and SPYT as of Oct 1, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in PLDR and 1 in SPYT, against full books of 56 and 10.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PLDR and SPYT you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, PLDR or SPYT?
PLDR has an expense ratio of 0.59% while SPYT charges 0.92%. PLDR is the cheaper option, by $33 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PLDR or SPYT?
PLDR has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 11.6% for SPYT. Worst drawdown: PLDR -23.0% vs SPYT -18.3%.
Should I hold both PLDR and SPYT?
PLDR and SPYT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, PLDR or SPYT?
PLDR yields 0.35% while SPYT yields 20.83%, so SPYT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPYT better than PLDR?
PLDR has a lower expense ratio. PLDR led over 1Y, SPYT over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.